Steam launches expanded software section

Steam is branching out beyond games to launch an expanded software section, introducing several creative tools to the digital distribution platform.

Steam’s software section launch titles include 3DMark 11, ArtRage, 3D-Coat, Camera Bag 2 and the GameMaker Studio suite. Several of these packages will take advantage of the Steamworks feature set, including cloud storage space and automatic updates.

Specifically, GameMaker Studio will allow for Steam Workshop integration, enabling games made with the package to be shared through the platform and 3D-Coat will even allow models to be auto-compiled directly to the Team Fortress 2 Workshop.

For the first week of the software section's launch, all new software titles are being offered with a 10% discount attached. Valve plans to add more packages to the section in the near future.

Steam has demonstrated precedent for selling and distributing digital items that are not games in the past and the new software joins Source Film Maker, which was released in July. As well as distributing modding tools for years, Steam also sold game-making documentary Indie Game: The Movie through its platform earlier this year.

Valve is continuing to develop Steam and is not content to rest on its laurels as the dominant digital distribution service for the PC. Last month it started beta testing its Big Picture mode, which aims to bring Steam to the living room and provide users with a more console-like experience if they chose it.